July 2005
I went out in my van this morning when all of a sudden it lost power and started to whistle quite loudly. It is ticking over ok
But when the accelerator is touched the whistle starts and the van will not go over about 30mph any ideas as to what this could be would be greatly appreciated
{Shouting, ie, upper case, amended. DD} Read more
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Read more
I'm only glad they didn't announce who'd got the Olympics on the same day. The French would have been insufferable...
I notice that complaints about main dealer charges are becoming more and more common. I wonder what proportion of new/nearly new cars are owned by individuals these days. I can only think that main dealers get away with it because lease companies pay the bills.
So, how many of those driving newish cars actually own the car themselves and how many are lease cars ?
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I own the Mondeo, wife owns the Clio, recently sold my 2 year old motorbike (which I owned) and bought an 8 year old one, ZRX1100 (which I own) and put some money in the bank. So no finance though we do pay the car insurance (not the bike) monthly.
come from?
Prompted by a link to this Australian website www.mynrma.com.au/motoring.asp and looking at the Holdens, it occured to me:
How can you describe the origin of the Vectra (or Astra or Zafira)? Is it:
1 - They are designed by Opel in Germany and rebadged for particular markets
2 - They are designed in the US by GM and the designs faxed off to Germany, Australia, South America etc
3 - A mixture?
It is NOT my intention to have the discussion whether or not the Vauxhall name should be ditched for Opel or whatever. I'd like to know if the Vectra is a German car, European car or US.
And isn't it ironic that the Vauxhall Monaro is a two door coupe based on the Holden Commodore, aka Vauxhall/Opel Omega and is introduced here after the 4 door has been discontinued? Read more
If it's a newer platform than the Omega then I wonder why they've made it look just like an Omega coupe? Forward of the 'A' pillar there really didn't seem to be any significant difference between the Omega & the Monaro....apart from that engine of course!
The radio cassette in my wife's Mk1 Punto is rubbish, so I'd like to replace it with a CD Tuner. Nothing fancy and certainly nothing bling with flashing lights etc. that would appeal to the chav community. Have any backroomers bought one recently that they would recommend? Halfords have a number of JVC units for <£100 and online retailers have other makes. But which one?
Also, will the standard speakers withstand the extra power? I realise better speakers equals better sound quality, but I don't really want to spend a great deal on replacing those as well.
Chris M Read more
In response to Hugo's request for endings, I bought a JVC KD-G111 from Halfords for £79.99. Simple, straightforward to use and sounds OK through the standard speakers. Also a piece of cake to install. Wife happy, therefore I'm happy.
Chris M
Hi guys, I'm going to look at an N reg Citroen ZX 1.4 tomorrow morning and am wondering if I could get any tips on what to look out for? An idiots guide if possible since I'm not the most mechanically minded. I just know the basics as in having a good look round for rust and I read that I should also look for rust under the radiator with the ZX. This car has done 100,000 miles.
Any other things. Suspension? Brakes? Things I could look out for when I test drive it that crop up in the Citroen ZX?? Read more
will get moved to Discussion later today..
Hello all, I have a Jan 1997 Mercedes E280, a fine car that runs great even with 99,200 on the clock. Has never required any repairs in 2 years of ownership.
HOWEVER! As many Merc owners of this type will know there are rust problems. I have heard various reasons, like "its the streched steel construction" or "these were built in humid India"
I have heard conflicting reports that Mercedes will repair rust damage and that these cars have a 30 year anti-perforation warranty. Then some websites say only body repair will be carried out to cars under 5 years old, other sites say Mercedes will repair all if they have a Mercedes Service History. From what I can see, no one has actually grouped together and said there is a problem. These are £37,000 plus new in the UK and Mercedes needs to accept there is a problem.
On my car I see new rust spots every time I wash it now, despite being clean when bought, (its no better than a £100 Ford Fiesta in this respect) Mercedes UK needs to know.
What I want is if you have had problems with these Mercs to let me know, perhaps a large number of responses to this very popular website will help us with our Merc dealers to get repairs done.
A FINAL QUESTION, I have a patchy service history, does anyone know do Mercedes hold details of services carried out?? I dont have the original service book with my car.
Thanks all
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Many other manufacturers have used water-based paints without the same problems, including those who do not galvanise shells.
The water-based paint is more difficult to apply, and MB seem to have had a problem with adhesion. I bought/sold a '98 MB a year or so back. The customer came back recently compaining about the rust on the rear arches. The paint was literally flaking off. I don't think the metal can have been properly prepared. They also put the paint on very thinly. I have a Nissan from the same era which has water-based paint and its been much more thickly applied than on the MB's.
Incidentally, the problem is not confined to E-Class, or 90's cars. I recently had someone try to sell me a 2000-model C-class coupe which had 2p-sized rust blisters all over it.
Cavity wax injection won't really help the problem because the rust is from the painted side of the panel.
I agree with HJ that regular oil changes are the cheapest way to ensure the longevity of an engine. Not being a fan of Audi's variable service interval, I booked my car in for it's first oil change at 5,000 miles (1.9tdi) this week.
As the car also had an airbag fault (warning light on all the time) the dealer said they couldn't do a while you wait service. With no loan cars, I stuck my bike in the back and pedalled 9 miles home. No sooner had I got back home, the phone rang, "Your car is ready". I pedalled 9 miles back (all in the pouring rain) to be met with a bill for £157 for the oil/filter change. Querying the amount, I was shown labour of one hour at £90 plus VAT "we need to remove a large panel underneath, sir".
I think it's criminal that a main dealer has the cheek to charge such an amount for a simple oil change and I wished I'd taken it to my favourite VAG independant around the corner in Hersham!
To make matters worse, the invoice showed "clean and reset airbag plug" when my dealer mates at Audi Germany told me the airbag fault was a common issue solved by a connector replacement. A mile down the road, the airbag light came on again. Back to the dealer where the service receptionist said the fault was unusual but the techie with the laptop plugged in outside said he'd had a couple that week with the fault and they were nil stock of the plugs.
Audi's are great until you need to go near a dealer.
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In reply to Chris:-
Dividing any cost by a big number will make it seem less. Overcharge is an overcharge whichever way you look at it. Anyone daft enough to think £157 for an oil change is good value must have more money than sense.
A regular oil service on an Audi does not include interrogation of the ECU (this is not done at any service unless the MIL is on, and then its done at extra cost unless under warranty).
They might check wipers, tyres etc. in the hope of selling you something, but it is not part of the service. I have all Audi dealer service schedules and book times in front of me - their services are fluids, filters and checks. Pretty basic stuff which requires modest skills to undertake, for which they are charging premium labour rates.
I have a 94 Mondeo Auto 1.8 LX it leaks oil from the breather of the gearbox just behind the rad. The gearbox is working O.K. but it is baffling me why transmission fluid should be forced out at this point. It is filled to the correct level but gradually spits oil out till it is below the dipstick level. Any ideas, thanks
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Someone has reversed into the back on my Mazda 6. Not much damaged to the paintwork but the bumper has dropped in the middle. Is it possible to realign the bumper or will I need to replace the bumper? Read more
not sure about the centre of the bumper,but the outer of the bumper is held in place by square plastic clips which locate into similar clips(male/female).I would guess maybe the centre ones are the same,and they have jumped out when struck.Take it to your Mazda dealer,same happened to me,and they put it back in place and polished out the scrape mark for free while i waited.
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thanks for the suggestions chaps. i have had a check around all pipes and all seem leek free and very tight. the van is only 2 yrs old but i have clocked up 180,000miles on it, is it more probable that the turbo is busted, im told that the average life is around 75,000. if so could anyone sugest how much its likly to cost. thanks